Locomotive-stoker.



A. R. AYERS.

LOCOMOTIVE STGKER.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.11, 1915.`v

Patented May 2, 1916.

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Mm A f E mm ma E imm A. R. AYERS.l

LOCOMOTIVE STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED 1AN.11. |915.

Patented May 2, 1916.

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THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH co.. WASHINGTON. D. r..

y A. R. AYERS. LOCOMOTIVE STOKER.

APlPLlCATlOYN FILED JAN. 11, 1915.

Patented May 2,1916.

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-A. R, AYERS.

, LOCONIOTIVE STOKER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.11. 1915.

Patented May 2, 1916.

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AUGUSTINE R. AYERS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 0F ONE-HALF TO JOHNJ. BERNET, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOCOMOTIVE-STOKER.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 2, 1916.

Original application iiled May 26, 1913, Serial No. 769,840. Divided andthis application filed January 11,

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, AUGUSTINE R. AYERs, a citizen of the United States,and resident of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locomotive-Stokers,of which the following is a speciiication.

My invention relates to locomotive stokers and has particular referenceto a construction first disclosed in my co-pending application, SerialNo. 7 69,840, filed May 26, 1913, of which this is a division.

A particular object in the construction of chain-grate stokers forlocomotives is in the provision of means for supporting the grate in itsproper relation to the boiler'. IVhile the boiler, the fire box and thegrate are each supported by the frame, each thereof is subjected todifferent temperatures and the degree of expansion and contraction willvary accordingly. Therefore means must be provided for taking care ofsuch variation, the result in the present instance being secured bycarrying the chain grate solely on the frame and providing a slidingconnection between this element and the fire box or water legs of theboiler. Thus the two elements may expand and contract independently andwithout interference one with the other.

. A further object is in the provision of means for delivering the coalfrom the tender directly to the upper surfaces of the chain grate andbeneath the usual firing deck of the locomotive. It has heretofore beenconsidered necessary to deliver the coal at a point above the point ofuse, some form of hopper being used and allowing the material to feed bygravity directly upon the grate, or upon or into the distributingmechanism. In my construction the coal is delivered by a chute which isinclined upwardly and after being delivered upon the grate is spread ordistributed beneath the deck of the locomotive and thereby withoutinterfering with hand firing when necessary.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein;

Figure 1 is a plan view of a locomotive Stoker constructed in accordancewith my invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof partly in section;Fig. 3 is an elevation showing the grate-supporting frame and the SerialNo. 1,554.

means of attachment to the engine frame; Fig. 4 is a section on the line4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 isa section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, and, Fig. 7 is a section on theline 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Referring more particularly to the drawings it will be seen that theengine frame may consist of longitudinal members 10, to which are boltedsuitable brackets 11, 12, 13, 14, and intermediate bars 11b, 13b, 14",which support certain castings 13, 14a. Secured to the upper surfaces ofbrackets 11, 14, and bars 11b, 14h, are castings 15, 15a, 16, 16a, whichprovide bearings for shafts 17, 1S. These shafts carry suitablesprockets 19, and a chain grate 20. This grate moves between plates 21,at the sides and sectional bar 22, at the middle, as best shown in Fig.3. The construction of the grate is not herein claimed and will not bespecifically described.

As noted the grate is supported wholly on the brackets l1, 13, 14, andintermediate bars 11b, 13b, 14h, which brackets are secured to theengine frame, and that none of the weight of the grate is carried by theboiler. The side plates 21, as best shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, areprovided with inclined portions 23, lying against but not secured to thewater legs 24, of the boiler, thus providing for a sliding connectiontherebetween and permitting expansion and contraction as required.Inasmuch as the grate extends to the rear a considerable distance beyondthe rear wall of the boiler or fire box, and as the grate issubstantially the full width of the fire box, no means can be providedfor supporting the boiler at its rear end in the usual manner. I havetherefore provided an extension 25, on the bracket 12, this extensionbeing grooved and accommodating a roller 26. The mud ring 27, of theboiler is similarly grooved at its lower edge and the boiler rests uponthe roller 26. The flanges of a channel 27a, similarly engage the mudring and the bracket 25, and prevent separation thereof althoughpermitting longitudinal movement as required for expansion andcontraction. 'As best shown in Figs. l and 2, the rear end of the grateextends past thefrear end 28, of the boiler, and is underneath thefiring deck 29, located at the usual elevation. Likewise, the usual redoor 30,

is provided, which is not interfered with in my construction. rI`he coalis delivered beneath the firing deck and directly to the top surface ofthe grate by means of a conveyer 8l, mounted within a chute 32, thechute fitting loosely within an opening in .the wall 33. The wall 33,and the side walls 3l, deline a coal receiving and distributing spacebeneath the deck of the locomotive, the floor of which space isconstituted by the movable chain grate. The walls 38, 3i, also serve tosupport the deck 29. and the cab structure. rIhe coal is delivereddirectly onto the grate and is distributed by the two transverse screwconveyers 35, as best shown in Fig. 1, the height of which may beadjusted by means of the screws 36.

By reason of the construction shown the Stoker' may be applied to anengine and supported directly upon the frame and fuel mechanicallydelivered thereto and distributed thereupon without interference withthe fire box or boiler and without interfering in any way with theavailable space in the cab. This is important as it has heretofore beenconsidered necessary to deliver the coal at a point above the grate,allowing it to feed thereto by gravity. This required much of theavailable space in the cab and interfered with or prohibited hand firingthrough the usual firing opening. The coal is delivered directly to thegrate by means of the chute which is loosely 'fitted in the walldefining the space. This permits of the necessary iexibility as betweenthe tender and engine.

Obviously modifications may be made in the construction shown and suchmodiiications as are within the scope of my claims I consider within thespirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a locomotive Stoker, the combination of a fire box having afeeding opening, a deck to the rear of said fire box and so located asto permit hand firing through said opening, a chain grate extending intoand substantially of the Width of said fire box and beneath said deck,the space beneath the deck and above the grate forming.

a coal receiving and distributing space and means beneath said deck forlaterally distributing fuel delivered onto said grate.

2. In a locomotive Stoker, the combination of a fire box having afeeding opening, a deck to the rear of said ire. box and so located asto permit hand firing through said opening, a chain grate extending intosaid fire box and beneath said deck, the space beneath the deck andabove the grate forming a coal receiving and distributing space, andmeans for distributing coal laterally over said grate.

3. In a' locomotive Stoker, the combination of a lire box having afeeding opening, a deck to the rear of said fire box and so located topermit hand tiring through said opening, a chain grate extending intosaid fire box and beneath said deck, the space beneath the deck andabove the grate forming a coal receiving and distributing space, meansfor distributing coal laterally over said grate, Iand meansfordelivering` coal upon the surface of said grate near the longitudinalcenter line thereof, Said delivery means being located entirely belowsaid deck.

a. In a locomotive stoker, the combination of a .tire box having afeeding opening, a deck to the rear of said fire box and so located asto permit hand firing through said opening, a chain grate extending intosaid fire box and beneath said deck, the space beneath the deck andabove the grate forming a coal receiving and distributing space, andmeans for distributing coal laterally over said grate after said coalhas been delivered upon said grate, the walls defining said spaceserving to support said deck and Superstructure.

5. In a locomotive Stoker, the combination of longitudinally extendinglocomotive frame members, a. fire box above said frame and of a widthgreater than said frame, a chain grate including frame members insliding engagement with said fire box, and means rigidly securing saidchain grate frame members to the engine frame.

6. In a locomotive Stoker, the combination of longitudinally extendingengine frame members, supporting members secured to said frame members,a fire box of greater transverse width than said frame members, a chaingrate of a width substantially equal to the width of the fire box, saidchain grate in cluding framemembers secured to said sup porting membersand in sliding` engagement with the inner walls of said lire box, Suchsupporting members serving as the sole supporting means for said grate.

7. In a locomotive Stoker, the combination of longitudinally extendingengine frame members, a fire box, a bracket projecting upwardly andoutwardly from each frame member, longitudinally extendinggrate-supporting frame members, the upper edges of which are in slidingengagement with the inner walls of the fire box, and a chain gratemounted on said grate frame members, the grate and supporting framemembers being carried solely by said engine frame.

AUGUSTINE R. AYERS.

Vitnesses:

E. C. HARDY, G. E. PARKS.

Copies o! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressingthe Commissioner of Intenta,

Washington, D. C.

